The first week of college is basically the beginning of your adult life. You are in whole new world, and most likely, you are having your first real taste of freedom. I remember for me, I was so stoked to begin my freshman year at Northern Arizona University. College seemed just so awesome. And while I still love college, I realized that my thoughts after my first week were wayyyy different than what I realized by the end.
1. The food isn't as good as it first seems
The food on your campus seems great at first, but that's because your parents are still in town. You'll soon realize that the food on your campus is so much better during opening and closing weekends, and during family weekends. You'll realize your college tried hard to impress your parents, but when you're gone, you're left with, most likely, laxative-filled garbage.
2. You don't need half of the stuff you brought
I brought a bike freshman year and probably used it once. When everything is like at most a 10-15 minute walk away, a bike isn't necessary. I also brought too many clothes- a bunch that I never wore even once. I brought my desk top computer which I never really used since I could take my laptop wherever I went. When you pack for your sophomore year, you'll see some of the stuff you brought the year before and ask yourself, "Why in the world did I bring that last year?"
3. Your entire year is nothing like move-in week
In most move in weeks, you'll have a couple of days of down time. That's when you're meeting tons of new people, exploring your college and town, and most likely going to a party or two. You'll soon realize that you will eventually be drowned in homework, and in some cases, a job. College is still totally fun, but it won't be as fun as when you have nothing going on during move-in week.
4. Your books? Yeah, you'll barely use a bunch of them.
Some books, you'll use every day in class. Others? You'll use like 3 times in the year. And you'll never know how often you'll use the books until you just experience the class. You're best off buying all the required books and hoping you can sell some of them back at the end of the semester.
5. Top Ramen truly gets old after a while.
While it's great if you want to buy some cheap and easy food, it starts to just taste gross. If you switch to other cheap and easy food like oatmeal, cereal, or fruit, you'll feel much better because you're actually eating much healthier.
6. You either love or hate your roommate.
The vast majority of my friends last year either loved or hated their roommate. A lot of people are randomly assigned roommates, so that's probably why it's hit or miss. Few people are impartial about their roommates. One of the best parts of Sophomore year and up is that you have a much better chance to pick your roommate and actually be happy with them.
You generally manage during the first couple of weeks, because you're so entrenched in your new life. Once you settle in though, you start to miss your friends and family more and more. You'll make plenty of life long friends, believe me. But there's just sometime about your family and hometown friends that just can't be replaced.
Have a great year!
